Farmers’ protest

Press, 15 June 1978, Page 16

Farmers’ protest

Sir, — The recent .protest by Southland farmers has wide support in farming circles. It is a strong indication of the general feeling of farmers towards the continual problems in the freezing industry, and the Government’s attempts to increase agricultural production. It is time that Federated Farmers, the unions, freezing company management and the Government, worked together to rectify the problems. A point from the protest, which appears to have been missed by many, is that a large proportion of the protest vehicles carried banners stating, “Don’t want subsidies; want stock killed,” or to that effect. The Government intends to give S6OM to the farmers as hand-outs, and S24M as fertiliser subsidies, which will only lead to an increase in the inefficient use of fertilisers. Their attention should be directed more towards problems such as the freezing industry, transport and marketing so that farmers will want to produce more. — Yours, etc., G. D. PITMAN. June 13, 1978.

Sir, — If the violence and disorderly behaviour perpetrated by the Southland farmers had been committed by some unemployed youths, they would probably have been charged and arrested on the spot. The cruelty to those weakened sheep can hardly be in question, terrified animals jumping over dead bodies in vain flight from the sight and smell of blood and the rough masskilling. This violent “demonstration’’ offended against the Animals Protection Act, 1960. section 2— aggravated cruelty resulting in death, for which penalties up to two years’ imprisonment or up to £5OO ($1000) are provided in section 4. This is a clear test case for democracy in this country.

Have we one law for all, or one for a sector whose votes are essential to the Government, and another for people who don’t matter? — Yours, etc. ’ MARGARET MAYER. June 13, 1978.

Sir, — The 'ront page of “The Press,” June 10, presents a disturbing account of wanton cruelty to innocent animals. The Southland farmers and the meat workers represent an older generation, and they set a sad example to the younger generation. St Augustine says: “A nation is an association of reasonable beings, united in the peaceful sharing of the things they cherish; therefore, to determine the quality of a nation, you must consider what those things are.” — Yours, etc., K. HYNDMAN. June 13, 1978. Sir, — One point hammered home by letters on the Southland protest, is the ever-growing gap between farmer and city-dweller. I suspect that many of the hysterical condemnations recently printed stem from a sense of personal outrage, rather than any real understanding of the Southland situation. It is not important how the protest was carried out. Was there any other way, equally effective, short of threats or physical violence? It is not important whether the farmers concerned are prosecuted. I feel sure they . expect to be. What is important is that; (1) Farmers have at long last attained a measure of solidarity in voicing their opinions (2) They have effectively demonstrated to the freezing companies, and workers, if no-one else, that, they are no longer prepared to stand by and allow militant unions to cripple farm production. — Yours, etc., ROGER SMITH. June 13, 1978.